Automanual resetting device



SPt- '2, 1930- I A. L.. RUTHVEN AUTO MNUAL RESETTING DEVICE Filed Nov.1, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Y. We

Sept. 2, 1930. A. L. RUTHVEN AUTO` MANUAL RESETTING DEVICE Filed Nov. l,1928 2 Sheets-Shut 2 A bm Patented Sept. 2, 1930 UNITED STATES ALFREDVL. RUTHVEN, F ROCHESTER, NEW YORK AUTOMANUAL RESETTING DEVICEApplication filed November The present invention relates to automatictrain control, and more particular to resetting, clearing or restoringdevices such as are provided for resetting the control apparatus afteran automatic stop has been made in order that the train or vehicle mayproceed, this application disclosing improvements over the devicedisclosed in my c opending application Serial No. 274,274, filed May 1,1928.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a resetting devicewhich may be conveniently operated by the engineman without requiringhim to leave his regular posi- 1,5 tion, and which device will notfunction unless the train or vehicle is at rest, so that the devicecannot function while the train or vehicle is in motion even though theengineman makes effort to reset the apparatus or to prevent an automaticstop, 'the device beino` improved in order to make same thoroughly safeand reliable.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent asthe description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction andarrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed, it beingunderstood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed,without depart- 36 ing from the spirit of the invention.

he invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein-.Figure V1 is a sectional view of a resetting device embodying theimprovements, 'portions being shown in elevation and the electricalcircuit being shown diagrammatically, with the parts in normal position.1

Fig. 2 is a view of the device shown in Fig. 1 in active position forresetting, portions being shown in section and portions in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view corresponding" with Fig.

struction. Y

Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2

showing the modified device of Fig. 3.

. Referring'to Figs. 1 and 2, which show one embodiment of theinvention, a cylinder 7 is mounted for swinging movement on a 50 hingerod l8 mount'edwwithin a housing or 1 and illustrating a modified con-1, 1928. Serial No. 316,538.

hood 9 which has a flange 10 or other suitable means for attaching it tothe frame or body of the locomotive or other vehicle, whereby thecylinder may swing ineither direction.

A piston 11 works in the cylinder and has a tubular stem 12 slidablethrough the free end of the cylinder, and the protruding end of the stem12 has a shoulder or valve head 13 to seat against the lower end or`headof the cylinder to prevent the escape of air or pressure fluid whenthe piston 11 is moved to its uppermost position, as seen in Fig. 1.

A contact member or finger 14 is slidable in the stem 12 and has apiston 15 working within a cylinder chamber 16 provided in the cylinderV11 and stem 12, and the stem 12.has vents 17 below the piston 15 topermit the air to flow into and out of the chamber 16 below the piston15. The finger 14 hasra hole or bore 18 extending from the upper surfaceof the piston 15 to a point close to the lower protruding end of thefinger 14, in order that the wearing off or breaking of the finger 14will permit the air to escape from above the pistons 11 and 15, so thatthe defect .in the finger 14 may be detected and failure of the deviceavoided.

The finger 14 is adapted to contact with a Wheel 19 of the locomotive orvehicle, or with any other moving part,vor may be arranged to contactwith a rail of the track.

Said finger may be of ifrictional material in order to preventrslippagebetween it and the part with which it contacts.

An insulated Ycontact 20 is mounted on the bottom of the -cylinder 7 forthe engagement ofia Contact 21 carried by and insulated from the piston11, and a contact arm 22 is hingedly mounted on the piston 11 inelectrical connection with the contact 21 for engaging a contact23carried by and insulated from the top of the cylinder 7. lThe contact21 is normally raised away from the Vcontact 20, as seen in Fig. 1,vwith the arm 22 swung downwardly away from the contact 23, and when thepistons 11 and 15 are moved downwardly, the linger 14'contacting withthe wheel or member 19 will` be arrested, while the piston l1movesdownwardlyto Abring the contact 21 vagainst the contact 20. Thepisi ton 15 has a stud 24 thereon which will contact with the arm 22,due to the downward movement of the piston 11 relatively to the piston15 and linger 14, thereby swinging the arm 22 upwardly so that itengages the contact 23. This closes the electrical connection betweenthe contacts 2() and 23.

The cylinder 7 has an arm 25 carrying an insulated contact 2G normallyengaging an insulated Contact 27 carried by the hood 9 when the cylinder7 is in neutral or intermediate position.

rlhe resetting circuit includes the wire or conductor 23 connected tothe contact 27, a wire or conductor 29 connecting the contacts and 26,and a wire or conductor 30 coniected to the Contact 20. YWith the partsin normal. position, as seen in Fig. 1, the circuit is broken at thecontacts 2O and 23.

Suitable springs 31 are disposed between the arm 25 and hood 9 tomaintain the cylinder 7 yieldingly in neutral or intermediate position,with the contacts 26 and 27 together, and the cylinder 7 may be swung ineither direction, which will immediately7 reinove the contact 26 fromthe contact 27 so as to interrupt the resetting circuit at this p oint.

The cylinder 7 has iiuid passages and 33 leading to the upper and lowerends oi the cylinder chamber, and communicating with tubes or pipes 34and 35, respectively, connected with a manually operable valve 36 towhich is connected a compressed air or pressure fluid supply pipe 37 anda discharge vent 38. The valve 3G is preferably arranged to beconveniently operated by the engineman.

In the normal position of the valve 36 it connects the pipe with thepipe 37 and the pipe 34 with the atmosphere, so that the pressure fluidor air flowing into the lower portion of the cylinder 7 will move thepiston 11 upwardly, thereby removing the contact 21 from the contact 20.The shoulder or valve portion 13 seats against the bottom ot thecylinder to prevent the escape of air, and the arm 22 swings downwardlyby gravity away from the contact 23, so that the resetting circuit isbroken at two points.

In order to reset the vehicle equipment, the valve 36 is operated toconnect the pipe 34 with the compressed air supply pipe 37 and toconnect the pipe 35 with the atmosphere. The air entering the upper endof the cylinder will depress the pistons 11 and 15, thereby moving thefinger 14 against the wheel or part 19, and although the finger 14 isstopped the piston 11 is moved downwardly further to bring the contact21 against the contact 2O as seen in Fig. 2, and the arm 22 engaging thestud 24 will be swung upwardly, by the movement of the piston 11relatively to the piston 15, into engagement with the contact 23,thereby closing the resetting circuit.

It is compulsory, however, that the locomotive or vehicle be at rest inorder that the resetting may be accomplished, for if the vehicle is inmotion, the linger 14 coming into contact v 'th the wheel or part 19,will immediately swing the cylinder 7 in the corresponding directionbefore the piston 11 is moved downwardly suliiciently to bring thecontact 21 against the contact 20.

rlie contact 2G will therefore be moved away from the contact 27 to openthe circuit at the contact 27 before the circuit can be closed at thecontacts 20 and 23.

Moreover, if the finger' 14 is worn away or brolren off, then, insteadof assuming the position shown in Fig. 2, it will be moved downwardlyfurther, so that the stud 24 cannot raise the arm 22 against the contact23, it being obvious in referring to Fig. 2 that if the lower end of thefinger 14 is worn away or broken. off the finger can naturally movedownwardly further before being stopped by the wheel or member 19, andthe stud 24 bein g moved downwardly further will not be in a position toswing the arm 22 against the contact 23. Furthermore, the hole orpassage 13 being opened will permit the air to escape, whereby the noiseot the escaping air will give a signal so that the defect in the Enger14 may be detected.

The piston l5 being moved downwardly by air pressure will bring theiinger 14 into tight contact with the wheel or part 19, so as to assureof the cylinder 7 being swung or displaced before the resetting circuitis closed, shenld the vehicle be in motion.

`Wl1cn the valve 3G is released or restored to normal position, thepiston 11 is raised as hereinbefore described, thereby breaking thecircuits at the contacts 20 and 23, and the piston 15 and linger 14 arelifted with the stem 12.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a modification, including a contact arm 22ahingedly connected with the top of the cylinder 7 to be raised againstthe contact 23 for connect-ing the wires or conductors 29 and 30 whichare connected to said arm and contact, respectively.

The arm 22'nt normally swings downwardly away from the contact 23', asseen in Fig. 3, and when the piston 11 is moved downwardly, as seen inFig. 4, the arm 22 which is hingedly mounted on the piston 11 is raisedby the stud 24 of the piston 15 and engages the arml 22, therebyswinging said arm 22L upwardly against the contact 23', to close theresetting circuit.

By using the arm 22CL and contact 23', the use of the contacts 20 and 21hereinbefore described is avoided, but the circuit is only broken at onepoint (contact 23).

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A resetting device for automatic train control comprising a cylinder,tvvo relatively movable `pistons movable in said cylinder, one pistonhaving a portion to contact With another part to limit the movement ofsaid piston, means for supplying pressure iiuid into said cylinder tomove both of said pistons, and means for closing a resetting circuitconstructed and arranged to be operated by the predetermined andrelative movement of said pistons With the firstnamed piston limited inits movement by said part.

2. A resetting device for automatic train control comprising a cylinder,two relatively movable pistons movable in said cylinder, one pistonhaving a portion to contact with another part to limit the movement ofsaid piston, means for supplying` pressure fluid into said cylinder tomove both of said pistons, and means for closing a resetting circuitincluding an arm hingedly mounted on one of said pistons and a portionon the other piston to contact With said arm for swinging the arm tooperative position by the predetermined and relative movement of saidpistons with the firstnamed piston limited in its movement by said part.

3. A resetting device for automatic train control comprising a cylinder,a piston movable in said cylinder, a second piston movable in thelirstnamed piston and having a portion to contact With another part tolimit the movement of the second piston. means for supplying pressurefluid to said cylinder to move said pistons, and means for closing aresetting circuit constructed and arranged to be operated by thepredetermined and relative movement of said pistons With the secondpiston limited in its movement by said part.

4e. A resetting device for automatic train control comprising acylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder, a second piston movable inthe firstnamed piston and having a portion to contact with another partto limit the movement of the second piston, means for supplying pressurefluid to said cylinder to move said pistons, and means for closing theresetting circuit including an arm hingedly mounted on the firstnamedpiston and a portion on the second piston to contact with the arm forswinging the arm to operative position by the predetermined and relativemovement of said pistons with the second piston limited in its movementby said pa t.

5. A resetting device for automatic train control comprising, a cylindermounted for movement, two relatively movable pistons movable in saidcylinder, onepiston having a portion to contact with another part formoving said cylinder from a normal position, means for supplyingpressure fluid to said cylinder to move said pistons, means for closinga resetting circuit and arranged to'be operated by the predetermined andrelative movement of said pistons With the firstnamed pistons limited inits movement by said part, and means for opening said resetting circuitWhen the cylinderv is moved from normal position.

6. A resetting device for automatic train control comprising a cylindermounted for movement, two relatively movable pistons movable in saidcylinder, one piston having a portion to contact with another part formoving said cylinder froma normal position,

` means for supplying pressure fluid to said cylinder to move saidpistons, means for closing a resetting circuit Lincluding an armhingedly mounted on one of said pistons for the contact of a portion onthe other piston by the predetermined and relative movement of saidpistons with the lirstnamed piston limited in its movement by saidpart,so as to move said arm to operative position, and means forbreaking said circuit When said cylinder` is moved from normal position.

7. A resetting device for automatic train control comprising a cylindermounted for movement, piston movable in said cylinder. a second pistonmovable in the firstnamed pistou and having a portion to contact Withanother part for moving said cylinder from normal position, means forsupplying ,pressure fluid to said cylinder to move said pistons, meansfor closing a resetting circuit constructed and arranged to be operatedby the predetermined and relative movement of' said pistons with thefirstnamed pistonilimited in its movement by said part, and means forbreaking said` circuit When said cylinder moves from normal position.

8. A resettingdevice for automatic train control comprising a cylindermounted for movement, a piston movable in said cylinder, a second pistonmovable in the firstnamed piston and having a portion to contact withanother part for moving said cylinder from normal position, means forsupplying pressure fluid to said cylinder to move said pistons, meansfor closing a resetting circuit including an arm hingedly mounted on therstnamed piston and a port-ion on vthe second piston to contact With thearm for mov- Ving said arm to operative position by the predeterminedand relative movement of said pistons with the second piston limitedinits movement by said part, and mea-ns for breaking said circuit whensaid cylinder is moved from normal position.

9. A resetting device for automatic train control comprising a cylinder,tivo relatively movable pistons movable in said cylinder, one pistonhaving aV portion to contact With another part to limit the movement ofsaid piston, means for supplying pressure' fiuid into saidcylindertomove both of said pistons,

` and means orfclosing a. resetting circuit constructed and arranged tobe operated by the predetermined and relative movement of said pistonswith the firstnamcd piston limited in its movement by said part, thelirstnamed piston and said portion thereof liavine' liole to permit theescape ot' pressure iiuid if said portion is broken or Worn off.

10. A resetting device for automatic train control comprising acylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder, a second piston movable intbe lirstnamed piston and having a portion to contact With another par'Jto limit tbe movement et' the second piston, means for suplying pressurefluid to said cylinder to move said pistons, and means for closing aresetting Circuit constructed and arranged to be operated by thelinedetermined and elative movement of said pistons With the secondpiston limited in its movement by said part, tbe second piston and saidportion thereof having a liole to permit the pressure duid to escape ifsaid portion is broken or Worn otf.

11. resetting device for automatic train control comprising` a cylinder,a piston movable in tlie cylinder and having a stem pro- `jectingtherefrom, a second piston movable in tlie irstnamed piston and having afinger projecting from said stem to contact with another part, means forsupplying pressure fluid to the opposite ends ot' the cylinder to :novethe firstnamed piston in opposite directions and to move the secondpiston to projectsaid finger, said stem having a portion seatableagainst the cylinder to prevent the escape of pressure iuid when thelirstnamed piston is moved to retract said stem, and means for closing aresetting circuit constructed and arranged to be operated by thepredetermined and relative movement of said pistons with said fingercontactingwith said part and limiting tlie movement oi the secondpiston.

12. A resetting device for automatic train control comprising a movablymounted cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder and having a stemprojecting therefrom, a second piston movable in the irstnamed pistonand having a finger projecting from said stem to contact with anothermovable part for movsaid cylinder from a normal position, means forsupplying pressure 'Huid into tlie opposite ends of said cylinder formoving the lirstnamcd piston to retract said stem and for moving bothpistons to project said stem and i'inger, the second piston and lingerhaving a liole to permit the escape of pressure fluid if said linger isbroken or Worn off, said stem having a portion to seat against thecylinder when said stem is retracted to prevent leakof pressure from thecylinder, and means tor closing a resetting circuit including an armhingedly mounted on tlie irstnamed piston and a portion on the secondpiston to contact with tlie arm and swing itI to operative position whenthe pistons are moved to project said stem and linger with the fingerlimited in its movement by said part.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atiix my signature.

ALFRED L. RUTHVEN.

llU

